How to compose a melody with chords on a piano?

Question

I'm self-learning on a keyboard piano so i need guidance on how to create a simple melody with chords? I have seen some people playing a melody phrase and i see the chords does change here and there but with the same major/minor? For example, my chord is C major. So i play a melody that have to match with the chord. At the same time, as i play the melody, can my C major chord change to A minor then back to C major since they are relative? What should I start first thing when I want to compose a song? Help greatly appreciated! ^^

Answer 1

I only needed the first six words of your question in order to answer it.



... Get a Teacher!



Otherwise, your compositions will be mediocre at best.



Best of luck!!

Answer 2

Hello, some people have what they call 'perfect pitch'. They hear tones and know immediately which tone this is on one instrument or more instruments. Thus, when they hear a song they can for instance go to a piano and play the melody of the song immediately on the piano. But it is a rare ability and there are also relative differences. Some people can do more than that and play all notes from a piano song they hear. But this is rather exception than rule. Some people can acquire this ability by practicing. Maybe you can do it with melodies. The more you practice the better you will become I suppose and maybe you will be able to differentiate more and more notes. However, given you can find the melody you need to deduce underlying chords or chord possibilities. To do so you need to study some basic music theory and basic harmony (in music school). Once you know this you will be able to find the chords easily and can work with them to improve the basic melody. Then, we are immediately also at your second question. How do you compose songs using only the chords? That is really not hard. You need to break up the chords in the constituting notes and start constructing a melody with them. You make the melody for your right hand but you keep the chord in your left hand at the same time. You do this for some chords in succession and that is in fact the basic scheme you should use. To further improve on this you need to alter and vary the chord in your left hand and the melody in the right hand in interesting ways. But, this is more technique in combination with good inspiration. Thus the scheme for composition with chords is simple. Select some chords which sound well if you play them after each other. Next break them up in their notes and make a nice melody with them. Add other notes and vary rhythm. Now play the underlying chords in the left hand with the melody parts you constructed from the same chords. And that's it. Doing this very well is basically what a real and good composer does! To do so...you need to practice hard on this technique and have good inspiration.

Answer 3

for starters, try a standard chord progression say, I V vi iv (like C major: C G Am F C...). Then just play around in the notes of the chords as you play them. That should get you started. Practice and you'll get something nice, eventually your tunes will get more original - just keep trying!. Experiment with chord combinations, sometimes you can deviate from the key for a chord or two it gives it more interest, you just have to figure out how and when to do it.

Answer 4

well first off you need to pick a key. I'm a big fan of Eb and F. don't add in any accidentals until you get to a higher level of playing. then you need to pick 3-5 chords that work well together. the you need to work out a melody run. this is the most difficult part for me, because I want it to sound original. basically that all that's to it. keep working at it and don't give up and it will sound amazing. by the way im completely self taught too :)

Answer 5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dkt75juxvxw